**3.3 Dairy sector**

*Goats (Capra) - From Ancient to Modern*

produce kids for slaughtering [2].

from 5 to 14 kg.

The main meat types produced in Spain are:

ethnic minorities present in Spain.

9.17% of European production [3].

Due to the morphology the species (amyotrophic) has not a noticeable meat aptitude; however, there are some breeds with certain muscular development, and consequently they are considered as meat breeds, where their main purpose is to

1.Kids or suckling kids (called *cabrito*): animals that are reared by their mothers and weaned and slaughtered between 20 and 60 days of age with live weights

2.Chevron (called *chivo*): males slaughtered between 4 and 6 months old with live weights from 20 to 45 kg; comparatively, production is much lower than kids and usually the consumption of this kind of meat is limited to several

The world production of goat meat (2016) was estimated by FAOSTAT at 5,621,333 metric tonne (Tm) [3]. The majority is produced in Asia (73.18%), followed by Africa (22.14%), and America (2.26%) according to the previous census distribution. In Europe, production was 98,934 Tm, representing 1.76% of world production. In the cited census, Russia is included by the FAO as a European country, reaching the second position on meat production (18,567 Tm—18.77% of European production) after Greece (21,785 Tm—22.02%). Values for Spanish goat meat production are located after France, Albania, and Romania, representing

During the period 1990–2005 according to FAOSTAT, in Spain for each kg of goat meat, between 14 and 16 kg of lamb meat was produced [1]. Production of goat meat for that period ranged from 14,000 to −16,000 Tm versus 211,000 to 232,000 Tm lamb meat produced [3]. The evolution of goat meat in Spain over the last few

Nowadays the ratio has changed to 11.89 kg of ovine for each kg of goat meat produced, according to national data on goat and lamb meat production at 9800 and 117,000 Tm, respectively, in both species (2016). Goat meat production had an increment of 7.3% related to its production on the previous year (2015) according to

decades according to a Spanish official database is compiled in **Figure 4**.

*Evolution of goat meat production in Spain (1992–2016). Source: [7].*

**3.2 Meat production sector**

**26**

**Figure 4.**

Related to milk production, the situation is very different to meat production. Thus, there are some really specialized breeds with remarkable milk yields.

**Figure 5.** *Logotype "autochthonous Spanish breed: for goat and general". Source: [8].*

Fresh whole milk around the world was estimated by the FAO at 1,526,211,600 ton in 2016 [3]. Again, the majority of production is found in Asia (52.7%) and Africa (25.7%). Europe represents the third continent (with 2,537,787 Tm; 16.63%), an important value compared to the lower census of other regions such as America. This reflects the great potential and production of European dairy breeds, as will be shown in the followig paragraphs.

At the European level, France was first with goat milk production at 603,040 tons, representing 23.76% of European production, followed by Spain (410,977 tons; 16.19%) and Greece (384,903 tons; 15.17%).

According to data from the FAO summarized in [1], goat milk production in Spain in the period 1990–2005 was higher for goats than ewes with 473 versus 320 million liters in 1990; in 2005 it was 469 versus 409 million liters. For each liter of goat milk produced there were between 0.67 and 0.87 liters of ovine milk. This shows the traditional good milking aptitude and use of goats in the country. Estimated milk production by lactation for some dairy Spanish breeds is shown in **Table 1**. Currently, national data on goat and ewe milk production show that in 2016 there were 480 and 560 million of liters, respectively, for those species, which modified the previous ratio to 1.16 liters of ovine milk for each liter of goat milk. It was in the year 2009 when the production of ovine milk exceeded goat milk yields, due to restructuring of the systems, replacing in large scale autochthonous ovine dairy breeds with other more productive breeds such as Assaf or Lacaune, and modifying the productive profile [7]. However, since 2012, as shown the **Figure 6**, goat milk production has increased.

South (Andalusia: 41%), center-east (Castilla la Mancha: 17%), Canary Islands (12%), and southeast (Murcia: 9%) are the four national regions where goat milk is produced. It is remarkable to see that the volume of goat milk obtained from farms from the center-east during the last 5 years has been doubled [7].

As indicated above, the quantity of goat milk production is increasing in the country; however, the number of producers in this sector has progressively decreased. Farms tend to be more technologically advanced and specialized, with a higher number of heads with improved productive efficiency [10].

The value of goat milk produced in 2016 was 305 million euros, 7% lower than the previous year due to the decrease in the price of this kind of milk, although production continued to progressively increase [6, 7].

The price of goat milk has a seasonal behavior, reaching a maximum during winter season where there is a productive deficit on farms [7]. In 2016 the average prize of goat milk in Spain was 0.64 euros/liter, 7.25% lower than the average of the previous year [7].


**29**

*The Goat Sector in Spain: Situation, Local Breeds, and Production Systems*

The main destination of goat milk is the transformation of cheese (pure or mixed

with sheep milk). Spain has more than 150 varieties of cheeses from small ruminant milk, and many of them are produced under quality labels such as Protected Geographic Indication or Protected Designation of Origin. From the different types of cheeses consumed in Spanish homes, 12.7% belong to the category pure goat breeds, versus 17.6% of ewe, with respect to total cheese consumption [7]. Cheese consumption by person and year is estimated to be 280 g for goat cheese and 380 g for sheep cheese. Globally, it could be said that the goat processing sector in Spain is characterized

by the presence of a small number of different large industries that are involved in the main national industrial production, and a large number of small regional industries that produce more specialized products, which are frequently produced

The future and stability of the milk sector is very dependent of the price of milk and its global offer/availability on the national market, therefore some experts see exportation as a possible strategy to improve the sector. Thus, the sale of fresh milk to France or powdered milk to China to supply the demand of these markets would

Summarizing, the goat sector presents a good potential in the European and international markets, related to quantity and quality. Spain has a high variety of breeds that are appreciated in different countries, which are vital and strategic for

Officially in Spain, following the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Orden APM/26/2018) [12], there are 22 different breeds, all of them autochthonous, which means that the country is in fifth position in genetic variability in the world, after Italy, China, Pakistan, and India. The breeds are divided into two groups: breeds with a "no-conflictive" census (called foment breeds) and

In the first group, three breeds are included, all of them dairy breeds. Two (Florida and Malagueña) have their origin from the south (Andalusia region) and one (Murciano Granadina) is spread all over the country. Also, they have some pres-

in small artisan cheese factories and sold in local markets [11].

*Evolution of goat and ewe milk production in Spain (2003–2015\*). Source: [10].*

breeds with a "limited" census (called endangered breeds).

ence in Hispano-America and in North Africa countries.

be favorable for the future of the sector [11].

Spanish rural development [9].

**4.1 Global approaches**

**Figure 6.**

**4. Goat breed characterization**

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82539*

### **Table 1.**

*Milk production of Spanish goat breeds.*

*The Goat Sector in Spain: Situation, Local Breeds, and Production Systems DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82539*

*Goats (Capra) - From Ancient to Modern*

shown in the followig paragraphs.

goat milk production has increased.

previous year [7].

Milk yield (kg) (lactation days)

Range estimated by breed (kg)

*Milk production of Spanish goat breeds.*

tons; 16.19%) and Greece (384,903 tons; 15.17%).

Fresh whole milk around the world was estimated by the FAO at 1,526,211,600 ton in 2016 [3]. Again, the majority of production is found in Asia (52.7%) and Africa (25.7%). Europe represents the third continent (with 2,537,787 Tm; 16.63%), an important value compared to the lower census of other regions such as America. This reflects the great potential and production of European dairy breeds, as will be

At the European level, France was first with goat milk production at 603,040 tons, representing 23.76% of European production, followed by Spain (410,977

According to data from the FAO summarized in [1], goat milk production in Spain in the period 1990–2005 was higher for goats than ewes with 473 versus 320 million liters in 1990; in 2005 it was 469 versus 409 million liters. For each liter of goat milk produced there were between 0.67 and 0.87 liters of ovine milk. This shows the traditional good milking aptitude and use of goats in the country. Estimated milk production by lactation for some dairy Spanish breeds is shown in **Table 1**. Currently, national data on goat and ewe milk production show that in 2016 there were 480 and 560 million of liters, respectively, for those species, which modified the previous ratio to 1.16 liters of ovine milk for each liter of goat milk. It was in the year 2009 when the production of ovine milk exceeded goat milk yields, due to restructuring of the systems, replacing in large scale autochthonous ovine dairy breeds with other more productive breeds such as Assaf or Lacaune, and modifying the productive profile [7]. However, since 2012, as shown the **Figure 6**,

South (Andalusia: 41%), center-east (Castilla la Mancha: 17%), Canary Islands (12%), and southeast (Murcia: 9%) are the four national regions where goat milk is produced. It is remarkable to see that the volume of goat milk obtained from farms

The value of goat milk produced in 2016 was 305 million euros, 7% lower than the previous year due to the decrease in the price of this kind of milk, although

The price of goat milk has a seasonal behavior, reaching a maximum during winter season where there is a productive deficit on farms [7]. In 2016 the average prize of goat milk in Spain was 0.64 euros/liter, 7.25% lower than the average of the

**FL (3) MJ** 

593 (210)

450– 550

Fat (%) 4.8 5.6 — — 4.2 — [14]

**(4)**

— — 416

530 (210)

5.5 5.4 5.3 3.9 4.2 4.6 [2]

400– 600

**PA (5) GU** 

(210)

432 (210)

300– 450

**(6)**

325 (210)

300– 400

**Source**

[2]

[13]

— [14]

**MA (2)**

503 (268)

541 (210)

400– 500

*MG: Murciano Granadina; MA: Malagueña; FL: Florida; MJ: Majorera; PA: Payoya; GU: Guadarrama.*

As indicated above, the quantity of goat milk production is increasing in the country; however, the number of producers in this sector has progressively decreased. Farms tend to be more technologically advanced and specialized, with a

from the center-east during the last 5 years has been doubled [7].

higher number of heads with improved productive efficiency [10].

production continued to progressively increase [6, 7].

**MG (1)**

530 (250)

513 (210)

450– 550

**28**

**Table 1.**

**Figure 6.** *Evolution of goat and ewe milk production in Spain (2003–2015\*). Source: [10].*

The main destination of goat milk is the transformation of cheese (pure or mixed with sheep milk). Spain has more than 150 varieties of cheeses from small ruminant milk, and many of them are produced under quality labels such as Protected Geographic Indication or Protected Designation of Origin. From the different types of cheeses consumed in Spanish homes, 12.7% belong to the category pure goat breeds, versus 17.6% of ewe, with respect to total cheese consumption [7]. Cheese consumption by person and year is estimated to be 280 g for goat cheese and 380 g for sheep cheese.

Globally, it could be said that the goat processing sector in Spain is characterized by the presence of a small number of different large industries that are involved in the main national industrial production, and a large number of small regional industries that produce more specialized products, which are frequently produced in small artisan cheese factories and sold in local markets [11].

The future and stability of the milk sector is very dependent of the price of milk and its global offer/availability on the national market, therefore some experts see exportation as a possible strategy to improve the sector. Thus, the sale of fresh milk to France or powdered milk to China to supply the demand of these markets would be favorable for the future of the sector [11].

Summarizing, the goat sector presents a good potential in the European and international markets, related to quantity and quality. Spain has a high variety of breeds that are appreciated in different countries, which are vital and strategic for Spanish rural development [9].
